The Thuma team is looking to hire an Associate Director/Director of Product Development for Furniture. This role is centered on bringing design vision to life. You will partner closely with Design, Sourcing, Merchandising, and external manufacturing partners to develop thoughtfully designed, high-quality products that align with Thuma’s aesthetic, quality standards, and cost goals.
This position will own development timelines, ensure product integrity, and identify opportunities to improve quality, innovation, and speed to market while assisting in the end-to-end product development process across key categories—from concept through production readiness.
Thuma’s Headquarters is based in the historic Presidio neighborhood of San Francisco. This is a hybrid role that will be in office 3 - 5 days a week
In recognition of the personal and professional benefits that team members gain from time spent together in person, we organize a range of events throughout each year designed to bring our entire team together.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle across key furniture categories, from initial concept through production launch and commercialization
- Partner closely with Design to translate creative vision into manufacturable, high-quality products while preserving brand intent and customer experience
- Support cross-functional alignment across Product Development, Sourcing, Merchandising, Operations, Quality, and Logistics to ensure successful execution against timelines, cost targets, and business objectives
- Build and manage strong relationships with domestic and international manufacturing partners, serving as a key escalation and strategic development lead
- Lead development strategy and execution across prototyping, engineering refinement, material selection, construction, comfort, and production readiness
- Establish and maintain development calendars, critical milestones, and communication processes to ensure visibility, accountability, and speed to market
- Identify technical, quality, manufacturing, and supply chain risks early in the development process and proactively drive solutions
- Partner closely with Sourcing on cost engineering and value optimization initiatives while maintaining product integrity and design standards
- Oversee product specifications, BOMs, testing requirements, and development documentation to support scalable and accurate execution
- Collaborate with Compliance and Quality teams to ensure all products meet performance, regulatory, safety, and durability standards
- Lead pilot runs, production validation, and commercialization readiness to support successful product launches
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across development processes, systems, communication tools, and vendor collaboration models
- Champion innovation in materials, sustainability, comfort, finishes, and manufacturing capabilities to advance Thuma’s product offering
- Mentor and support the growth of Product Development team members, helping establish best practices and elevate team capabilities
- Support long-term category expansion initiatives and strategic product roadmap planning
This Might Describe You
- 10+ years of experience in Product Development, Product Engineering, or related functions within furniture and home furnishings
- Strong technical understanding of furniture construction, upholstery, materials, manufacturing processes, and product performance standards
- Proven experience managing complex product development initiatives from concept through commercialization
- Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional stakeholders and influence decision-making across multiple teams and organizational levels
- Deep experience working with domestic and international manufacturing partners
- Experienced manager with a track record of mentoring high-performing teams and developing talent
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to operate strategically while remaining highly execution-oriented
- Strong product intuition and ability to balance aesthetics, functionality, quality, manufacturability, and cost
- Experience driving process improvement and operational scalability within product development organizations
- Familiarity with testing protocols, regulatory requirements, and quality systems related to furniture products
- Resourceful, solutions-oriented, and comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
- High level of craftsmanship appreciation and attention to detail
- Willingness to travel as needed
Why Join Us
- 401(k): Participation in our 401(k) program with company matching up to 6% of your contributions.
- Benefits*: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with generous employer contributions, 100% paid parental leave, and company-sponsored One Medical and WellHub memberships.
- Equity: Participation in employee stock option plan.
- Flexible by Design: We operate with a high-performance mindset, paired with thoughtful flexibility—flexible hours, flexible PTO, and a hybrid approach that supports both focus and balance.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy 13 company holidays each year to rest, reset, and celebrate what matters most.
- Employee Discount**: 40% off almost all Thuma products.
- Cell Phone Stipend: $100 per month to support work-related phone use.
- Commute Reimbursement: Up to $150 per month for commuting to our office.
- Room Upgrade: A complimentary product credit upon joining, valued at up to $3,000.
Who We Are
Thuma is a modern design company specializing in furniture and home goods. We believe simplicity is the ultimate luxury. That the details matter. And that good design is good hospitality.
We recognize that people come with a wealth of knowledge and are talented beyond the scope of a functional role. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match our job description. We hire for integrity, initiative, collaborative spirit, open mindedness, and willingness to learn.
Thuma is dedicated to going above and beyond to bring people with diverse perspectives and unique experiences together to do great work. We strive to create a sense of belonging by creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be their authentic self and by treating each and every team member with kindness, equity, and respect, always.
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
